GUFC’S First Quarterly Program is February 22 in Jefferson
How do we get youngsters outdoors among the trees? Why is this an issue? What health benefits does activity in greenspace bring to children? What opportunities are out there to introduce the marvels and benefits of nature to kids? Join us as we discuss these challenges on February 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Jefferson Civic Center, 65 Kissam Street, Jefferson, GA 30549.
Speakers include Brendon Barclay, Director of the Sustaining Urban Villages Outdoor Activity Center, whose mission is teaching youth about team-building, environmental education, and service learning. Watch Brendon’s interview when he was recently featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Also speaking will be Annie Hermansen-Báez, Science Delivery Coordinator/Center Manager, USDA Forest Service, InterfaceSouth Centers for Urban and InterfaceForestry, who will talk to us about the health benefits of getting kids outdoors and the More Kids in the Woods program. George Bain, Supervisor of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, will join us as well. Bring your own ideas, suggestions, and experiences – we’ll make time for an open forum discussion, too. Finally, get to know historic Jefferson, Georgia, a small town named after President Thomas Jefferson and whose dynamic tree council is working hard to ensure a healthy tree canopy for present and future Jeffersonians.
Registration fee: $35 members, $45 non-members. Lunch is included, and CEUs will be available. 2 CFE credits for SAF Foresters, category 2. After the program: optional walking tour of Jefferson and its plantings, weather permitting.
In this issue of GUFC’s informative quarterly newsletter, read City Trees, Nature and Physical Activity: A Research Review by Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D., learn new information on Kids, ADHD, and “Green Time” (a study by Frances Kuo, Ph.D., and Andrea Faber Taylor, Ph.D.), and mark your calendar for GUFC’s First Quarterly Program February 22: Trees and Health – Getting Kids Outdoors! We’ve also includedThe 2011 Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards andThe 2011-2012 Urban & Community Forestry Grant Recipients. And you’ll find information on Tree City USA’s December 31 renewal deadline, Alliance for Community Trees People’s Garden Grants and more…
Click here to download your copy or on the image at right.
If you’d like to receive Tree Talks via e-mail, write to us at gufc@gufc.org with “E-mail my Tree Talks” in the subject line.
GUFC’s 21st Annual Conference and Awards Program was November 2 and 3 at the James Madison Conference Center, 240 W. Washington Street, in historic Madison, Georgia, named the “#1 Small Town in America” by Travel Holiday Magazine. This year’s conference, entitled “Managing the Fear Factor: Trees, Pests, Storms and the Law,” featured outstanding speakers and educational sessions, a guided tour, an exciting awards luncheon, and networking with attendees and exhibitors. Featured speakers included:
Dr. Kim Coder of University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources on “Why Trees Fall Down in Storms: The Mechanics of Catastrophe” and
Attorney and ISA Certified Arborist Randall S. Stamen on “Understanding and Preventing Arboriculture Lawsuits”
Common Ground Thru Arboricultural Practices Video Often paths through passive parks create conflicts with trees. Watch how Spence Rosenfeld, President of Arborguard, found common ground among different interests with the building of the Path at Tanyard Creek in Atlanta in this GUFC produced video. View full resolution version
Did you know that the presence of trees can increase developed land values by as much as 27%? Spend just ten minutes to hear how successful developers across the South are incorporating more trees into their master plans and yielding bigger profits. Learn how Hammond’s Ferry, Sustainable Fellwood, and Camp Callaway are enjoying the benefits of building greener. Want to show this video at a meeting? Call us at 800.994.4832 and we’ll get a copy of the DVD to you, or you can log on to this page and download the video at the link above.
Municipalities have many demands on them: transportation, safety, education, development and much more. Urban foresters and arborists understand the importance of urban foresty in terms of benefits and safety; the goal is for municipal budgets to reflect this importance. Urban forestry often must compete for municipal dollars. To compete effectively requires constant education and communication with municipal hierarchy and elected officials. Georgia Urban Forest Council strives to deliver the tools to accomplish this through our educational programs, resources, and community outreach.
The west coast is spectacular, even the trees reach heights of over 350 feet. However, the breadth of tree diversity does not compare to the Southeast. Consider trees you can select just for the understory in this region: Sassafras, Silverbell, Dogwood, Sourwood, Yellow Wood, Paw Paw… the list goes on. At some point even overstory trees like white oak and yellow popular are understory trees. Next time you are in the forest in Georgia, enjoy its breadth and diversity!
This quercas alba (white oak, click on for larger view) has been pruned over the years by the utility company. It does not appear to have one dominant leader, and the homeowner is wondering if the many crowded branches growing vertically are weak attachments. The homeowner also wonders if by thinning the crown in particular, the verticle branches growing upward, would reduce wind drag and make the tree less likely to fail. What do you think?
Have you been to Thompson Mill Forest Arboretum near the town of Braselton, just off I-85? This 330 acre site contains 214 marked trees that are native to Georgia and many interesting non-native species. There is also a Native Tree Collection Trail with a well written and informative brochure that can be downloaded. For more info go to http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/tmf/.
315 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue
Suite 554
Decatur, GA 30030
Local 404.377.0404
Toll-Free 800.994.4832 gufc@gufc.org
Georgia ReLeaf
Georgia ReLeaf is a tree planting initiative spearheaded by the Georgia Urban Forest Council in partnership with the Georgia Forestry Commission to help restore the urban forests in towns and cities across Georgia that have been devastated by storms. Please help by making a tax-deductible donation using the button above.
Have you been to Thompson Mill Forest Arboretum near the town of Braselton, just off I-85? This 330 acre site contains 214 marked trees that are native to Georgia and many interesting non-native species. There is also a Native Tree Collection Trail with a well written and informative 
